RUMINATING ON THE RUN

NYC Marathon Training: Week 16

Week sixteen was meant to be the final week of NYC Marathon training, ending with 26.2 miles through the five boroughs. Hurricane Sandy swept in on Monday, devastating neighborhoods, causing flooding and power outages. After the storm subsided, the NYC Marathon was announced to be on-schedule, as planned. I picked up my race bib on Thursday; Friday, the race was canceled.

I’ve registered for another marathon – Pensacola Marathon – on Sunday, November 11. So there will be an additional week of taper.

Most importantly, I am still raising hurricane relief funds for NYC. In three days, we’ve reached 70% of the target amount! Information is here – LV Runs NYC: Race To Recover. Donations benefit the Mayors Fund, which is providing hurricane recovery around the city. Any dollar amount contributed is very much appreciated!

Monday: Rest day. Hurricane Sandy arrived in NYC.

Tuesday: Easy run. This was meant to be a 400-meter interval run. With Central Park closed and weather still quite windy, took to the streets, ran easy, and met total mileage on plan for the day. Ran partial perimeter of park to survey damage. Crews were already in park clearing downed branches. Truly fortunate, minimal damage on upper west and upper east sides of Manhattan.

Thursday: Tempo. Kept this run short by cutting out warmup and cool down. Just did quick shakeout and hit slightly under marathon pace. Ran in street, so pace wasn’t consistent after dodging bikes, cars, and pedestrians. Could see marathon supplies being set up along the west side of park. Legs felt good. Plan was to meet up with Kristy on Saturday to do a pre-race shakeout of 2-3 miles.

Friday: Rest day. Revisited marathon expo to meet up with a friend. Found out while at expo that NYC Marathon had been canceled.

Saturday: Easy run. This was originally meant to be the Dash to the Finish Line 5K. Kristy, Ashley, and I had planned to run this NYRR race easy as a pre-marathon shakeout. After the hurricane, this race was canceled. And, after learning the marathon itself was canceled, Kristy and I met up to do some easy miles in Central Park.

Mile markers, flags, and the finish line were all up. So many runners there.

Sunday: ING NEW YORK CITY MARATHON DAY! Long run. What was to be marathon day became another long training run.

Pace was all over the place – just an emotional day. Wanted to stay out of the park so ran down West Side Highway. Saw many groups of runners with their orange marathon shirts, wearing their race bibs. Was wonderful to see them in good spirits. Wound up by Battery Park, where I watched the Staten Island Ferry running and the Verrazano Bridge in the background. A bit sad, and a peaceful way to say goodbye to the 2012 NYC Marathon chapter.

My heart was heavy for everyone there and affected in some way by the devastation. Way to keep your chin up and your heart in the game. I love that you are raising funds and I also love that you signed yourself up for a marathon this weekend. You are very well prepared!! xo gina